OREGON CITY — Clackamas Community College (CCC) is receiving a third round of funding from the rock band Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation.
CCC was selected from a competitive field of community colleges across the country to receive $25,000 to transform the future of students in the community. Funded by Metallica’s All Within My Hands (AWMH) and led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Metallica Scholars Initiative was designed to directly support students while also elevating the importance of career and technical education. This work is highlighted at a global level by leveraging the influence of Metallica who continue to speak out on the dignity of professional trades and community colleges that prepare students.
The Metallica Scholars Initiative is now in its third year and has fundamentally improved the earning potential for students who become Metallica Scholars. Clackamas Community College intends to prioritize its assisting students in the college “heavy metals” programs in automotive, industrial technology and welding.
“Thanks to this funding, our Metallica Scholars can get the tools, the supplies and the support they need to be successful in the classroom as well as land well-paying jobs upon graduation,” CCC Dean Cynthia Risan said. “The second year of this grant impacted 86 students, resulting in gaining skills and certification, entering jobs that provide a living wage for their families, and helping some become self-sufficient for the first time in their lives.”
For year three of this project, CCC will continue to support the purchase of tools, textbooks and personal protective equipment for metals students. In addition, the college will provide funds and/or tuition waivers to offset tuition costs and offer emergency support to students in need (e.g., bus passes, gas cards).
“The foundation and the band pay attention and follow these programs and students, and there is no doubt that lives have been changed. What makes this work so unique is that in addition to supporting students directly, our goal is not just to change individual lives, it is to unabashedly promote the trades as meaningful and well-paying career pathways. We are not afraid to be loud nor to dig in on things we believe in, and we believe in these students,” said Dr. Edward Frank, executive director of AWMH.
“We are proud to work with Metallica to advance the career and technical education provided by the nation’s community colleges,” Walter G. Bumphus, AACC’s president and CEO, said. “Colleges across the country provide pathways to well-paying jobs through programs, services and training that lead to in-demand skills, certificates and degrees for students. These programs are responsive to the needs of local businesses and provide a pipeline of qualified workers to local industry. It’s a win-win for our students and the local economy. For Metallica to continue to invest in these students and communities is a testament to the power of the workforce education community colleges provide and we are proud to do this work with them.”
James Hetfield, Metallica’s vocalist/guitarist and co-founder said, “As a touring entity we are in direct involvement with multiple essential career choices along our path. From electrical, professional driving, culinary, mechanical maintenance, public safety, logistical organizers. And that just scratches the surface. Those, along with a multitude of other technical careers, make our touring and our performances possible. We are passionate and grateful to these trades and tradespeople.”
The Metallica Scholar Initiative sites to date are:
- Northwest-Shoals Community College, Muscle Shoals, Alabama
- Pima County Community College, Tucson, Arizona
- Hartnell College, Salinas, California
- Victor Valley College, Victorville, California
- Clinton Community College, Clinton, Iowa
- Central Community College, Grand Island, Nebraska
- Columbia Gorge Community College, The Dalles, Oregon
- Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, Virginia
- West Virginia University Parkersburg, Parkersburg, West Virginia
- Polk State College, Winter Haven, Florida
- Valencia College, Orlando, Florida
- North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- College of Lake County, Grayslake, Illinois
- Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, Wichita, Kansas
- Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
- Community College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland
- Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Westchester Community College, Valhalla, New York
- Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, Oregon
- Lone Star College, The Woodlands, Texas
- Spokane Community College, Spokane, Washington
- Gateway Technical College, Kenosha, Wisconsin
To learn how to become a Metallica Scholar at Clackamas Community College, contact Tom Brown at thomasb@clackamas.edu or 503-594-3956.
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